Urinary Incontinence as a Risk Factor for Mortality

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Abstract
To determine whether mortality is independently associated with urinary incontinence. 6-year prospective study that started in 1983/84. A Midwestern County. Probability sample of 1956 community-residing persons 60 years of age and older in 1983/84. The independent variables of urinary incontinence, its types and severity, were measured by survey self-report, which was validated with clinical exams. The control variables of age, education, and health status were also self-reported. The dependent variable of death was established during follow-up interviews from reports of previously designated contact persons. Neither incontinence status nor its severity level or types were found to be positively associated with 6-year mortality in logistic regression analyses that adjusted for age, education, and health status. Whereas urinary incontinence can be an embarrassing and socially debilitating condition, it does not itself predict or contribute to mortality.